Paris V Defendants

Synopsis:

The defendant-neurosurgeon performed a three-level cervical laminectomy at C2-3, C3-4 and C4-5 on the plaintiff, who was 67 years old at the time. Pre-operative imaging studies had shown stenosis and advanced cervical spondylosis with degenerative disc disease at those levels. On post-operative day four, a CT scan showed either a hematoma or fluid collection causing some compression of the spinal cord. The defendant-neurosurgeon recognized the development and offered to perform decompression/exploratory procedure, but the plaintiff refused. She developed pain, numbness and tingling in her arms and hands. The jury deliberated for 2½ hours before returning a defense verdict.